Four-hundred years later and the guy continues winning Oscars!
Obviously Shakespeare's still got game.
This course will focus primarily on Shakespeare's earlier plays,
comedies and histories, including those that you could see performed
this season and/or this summer in the Pacific Northwest (local campuses,
movie theaters, etc.) if you were so inclined. If you're taking the
Shakespeare plunge for the first time, fear not: this course will be
relatively non-threatening and usually merciful. If you're "brushing up
your Shakespeare," here is an assortment of mostly greater and some
lesser works of the Bard. If you may have to teach some Shakespeare
eventually, you're not alone and we'll keep this in mind. If you are
taking this class because you vaguely suspect you should, you're
probably right.
We'll shoot for both some general coverage of Shakespeare, for
consideration of the big biographical question, and for close
focus on several plays (includng a few chosen by the class).
A recently published book on Shakespeare asserts what has been
the consensus for centuries: that Shakespeare essentially created
our conception of what a human being is, of human psychology and
human relationships. In other words, Shakespeare created us.
Therefore, I want some answers from this semester, Billy! Therapy
is too expensive.
To gain exposure to Renaissance (or Early Modern) thought, poetic craft,
and drama by poring over the works of one rather well-known English
author.
To increase intellectual maturation and clarification of our own values
through examination of ideas and attitudes in literary/cultural contexts
and through articulation of these.
To develop skills in verbal analysis, critical thinking, and detection of
subtlety through reading, discussion, and writing about some tricky
literature.
A significant part of your life this semester has to become
Shakespeare studies. Studying this stuff can be demanding, but at least
we'll be doing it together as a learning community. Because
classroom interaction is essential for this to be a valuable
experience, and because frequent quizzes and homework writings will be
exchanged and no late assignments of any sort will be accepted,
more than a few absences will affect your grade regardless of reason.
Here's the math:
I will frequently ask for relatively minor homework assignments to be
turned in, designed primarily to stimulate subsequent discussion
[although it will arise anyway because the readings are so provocative
(i.e., cool)] and to practice conventions for writing about literature.
At other times I will ask you to answer questions in writing in class,
often ad lib responses to the reading before class discussion begins.
Homework assignments and quizzes will receive numerical grades (points)
and, although these writings cannot be made up (except for a couple
optional writings that can take their place), the final semester totals
will be curved if necessary. (30%)
You will submit two written projects of manageable
length. (30%)
Your presence will be kindly requested at three
exams. (30%)
Class participation will be expected and you will be responsible
for a brief lead-off presentation on a passage or a topic arranged
in advance. Your presentation must be dazzling and informative. (10%)
